Learning Land Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 10/03/2005 Inspector Name Valerie Block

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care, Out of School Day Care Setting Name Learning Land Setting Address 65 Derwent Street Workington Cumbria CA14 2DW

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THE INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality and standard of day care. When making judgements, inspectors have regard to how well the provider meets the National Standards for under Eights Day Care and Childminding. A list of these is attached. The report identifies strengths and areas for improvement. This inspection report must be made available to all parents.

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Information about the setting

Learning Land Private Day Nursery is owned and managed by Hilary McCarron. It opened in June 2004 and operates from a converted building in the middle of Workington, Cumbria. A maximum of 64 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The setting is open each weekday from 07:30 to 18:00 throughout the year except for 10 days over the Christmas period and bank holidays. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 98 children aged from 5 months to under 8 years on roll. Of these 5 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from the town and surrounding area. The setting employs 11 staff. There are 10 staff, including the manager who hold appropriate early years qualifications. One member of staff is working towards a qualification.

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How good is the Day Care?

Learning Land Private Day Nursery provides a satisfactory quality of care for children. There is a high ratio of qualified and experienced staff. Staff rotas ensure that there is a good continuity of care for all children. Staff are warm and attentive to the children and babies in their care. Recruitment and staffing procedures are robust. The deployment of staff, use of space and the grouping of children are not clarified in the operations plan. Record keeping is generally good, however, medication records are not always kept and the register does not currently note when staff are on breaks or who is providing relief for them. Nursery policies are generally well written and accessible to parents, however the child protection policy and behaviour management policy do not currently meet the requirements of the National Standards. The premises are clean, welcoming and accessible to children and families. The

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How good is the Day Care?

setting is in the main safe, however, there are some safety issues that have not been satisfactorily addressed. Children have access to several unsafe rooms and the stairs. Children using the upstairs toilets are not sufficiently supervised. Blind strings are accessible and unsafe. Fire doors that should be closed are propped open sometimes. The nursery is well decorated using children's work to good advantage.

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How good is the Day Care?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children's health and hygiene needs are attended to satisfactorily. Children's nutritional needs are met but water is not accessible to children. The nursery has regard to anti discriminatory practice. There are systems in place to meet the needs of children with special needs . Children and babies have satisfactory planned activities, using the varied play areas, both indoors and outside. Children enjoy their play and are well supported by staff. Staff maintain an environment which helps children to behave well.

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How good is the Day Care?

Staff have good relationships with parents. Information about the nursery and individual children is shared effectively.

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What is being done well?

• Children benefit from a staff group who are well qualified who provide warm, consistent care. •• The premises are very bright and welcoming with displays that are regularly changed and which incorporate children's work effectively. There is a good amount of interesting, appropriate, accessible play equipment. The premises and equipment are kept very clean and there are checklists for ensuring all areas are kept to a good level of repair and cleanliness. The setting have ensured that access to the site is strictly monitored for children's safety. Sleep rooms are near to the main play areas and are well supervised. Children are therefore provided with a homely, suitable environment. • Children benefit from an effective policy for behaviour management that is successful in practice. The staff group provide positive role models for the children. • Parents are provided with a wealth of information about the setting and are

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What is being done well?

made very welcome. This ensures that parents are reassured about their children's care and that children are well looked after. • There is effective staff recruitment, selection and monitoring procedures. The staff group are all qualified and experienced and individual training plans are reviewed regularly. This ensures that children are with suitable carers and that they have information and skills for their role.

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What needs to be improved?

• safety at the premises • record keeping and the review of policies

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What needs to be improved?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 • the operations plan and the review of the use of space and staff and grouping of children • children's access to fresh drinking water.

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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

Since registration, one complaint was received relating to Standard 6. The complainant was concerned about outdoor safety following a serious accident to her child. Ofsted visited to investigate and agreed actions relating to standard 6 and 14 with the provider. The actions included: the keeping of written evidence of the risk assessment for the nursery and the review of procedures to ensure that Ofsted is informed in writing of any serious accidents. Ofsted is satisfied that the registered provider has taken appropriate steps to address the actions. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

All registered persons must comply with all conditions of registration included on his/her certificate of registration. As a result of this inspection conditions of registration have been imposed / varied / removed and a new certificate of registration will be issued.

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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

Std Action Date 6 Ensure that: Blind strings are safe Children do not have access to the adult toilet, kitchen, stairs and staff room Fire doors are not propped open Children are supervised at all times. 07/04/2005

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by the time of the next inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 8 Make sure that fresh drinking water is accessible to children at all times. 14 Ensure that; Medication records are kept for all medication given 2 Ensure that: The register includes the attendance times of staff including break times The operations plan is reviewed regarding staff deployment and the use of space at the nursery to ensure that children are grouped appropriately and that space and staff are used satisfactorily.

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by the time of the next inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

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STANDARD 2 - ORGANISATION

The registered person meets required adult: child ratios, ensures that training and qualifications requirements are met and organises space and resources to meet the children's needs effectively.

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STANDARD 3 - CARE, LEARNING AND PLAY

The registered person meets children's individual needs and promotes their welfare. They plan and provide activities and play opportunities to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

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STANDARD 4 - PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The premises are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. They provide adequate space in an appropriate location, are welcoming to children and offer access to the necessary facilities for a range of activities which promote their development.

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STANDARD 5 - EQUIPMENT

Furniture, equipment and toys are provided which are appropriate for their purpose and help to create an accessible and stimulating environment. They are of suitable design and condition, well maintained and conform to safety standards.

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STANDARD 6 - SAFETY

The registered person takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings and ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents.

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STANDARD 7 - HEALTH

The registered person promotes the good health of children and takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures when they are ill.

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STANDARD 8 - FOOD AND DRINK

Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs. Food and drink is properly prepared, nutritious and complies with dietary and religious requirements.

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STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken when such a child is identified or admitted to the provision. Steps are taken to promote the welfare and development of the child within the setting in partnership with the parents and other relevant parties.

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STANDARD 11 - BEHAVIOUR

Adults caring for children in the provision are able to manage a wide range of children's behaviour in a way which promotes their welfare and development.

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STANDARD 12 - WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS AND CARERS

The registered person and staff work in partnership with parents and to meet the needs of the children, both individually and as a group. Information is shared.

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STANDARD 13 - CHILD PROTECTION

The registered person complies with local child protection procedures approved by the Area Child Protection Committee and ensures that all adults working and looking after children in the provision are able to put the procedures into practice.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

Records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision, or to promote the welfare, care and learning of children are maintained. Records about individual children are shared with the child's parent.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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